Hilton Malta, St Julian’s

The Hilton Malta is a 5-star hotel with 413 rooms and suites. It overlooks Portomaso Marina, in St Julian’s, on Malta’s north-east coast. The rooms look out over the garden, the marina or the sea. All have a balcony or terrace. Some suites and Spa rooms have a private jacuzzi on the terrace. Executive rooms come with access to a lounge on the 9th floor.

Three restaurants share the dining. Blue Elephant serves Thai cuisine in a village setting with a waterfall. Oceana offers the breakfast buffet and Mediterranean cuisine in the evening. Neba opens in summer under the olive trees. The Quarterdeck Bar, the Vista Lobby Lounge and the poolside Aqua Bar round things off.

For relaxation, the main area has two outdoor pools and a paddling pool, open from April to October. Below, the Merkanti Beach Club adds two seafront pools in summer. It is for over-16s only. The LivingWell club combines an indoor pool, a sauna, a hammam and a large gym. The Myoka spa has around ten treatment rooms. A tennis court and squash courts complete the picture.

The hotel is happy to welcome families. Under-12s enjoy a dedicated welcome, a kids’ menu and a paddling pool. Paid babysitting is available. Adults in search of peace retreat to the Merkanti Beach Club. Small pets are allowed in two room categories only.

Recent reviews praise the staff above all. Reception, the executive lounge, housekeeping and the pool teams are often mentioned. The many loyal guests mention upgrades and birthday touches. The rooms are considered spacious, bright and very clean. The view over the sea or the marina is among the most cited memories. The renovated lobby and palm-filled gardens also make a great first impression.

The location wins almost everyone over. The hotel occupies a quiet enclave, a few minutes’ walk from the restaurants of St Julian’s. The breakfast buffet is popular for its choice and its terrace facing the pools. Among the restaurants, Blue Elephant receives the highest praise. Half-board dinner is less convincing, especially out of season, when the buffet gives way to a set menu. The executive lounge and its evening drinks are a real plus for those with access.

The main downside is the size of the hotel. In summer, the pools, sunbeds and breakfast room are overrun. The sauna and indoor pool feel too small at peak times. Several guests report noise at night, from Paceville or the corridors. The unrenovated rooms and the pool areas look tired. Finally, the direct sea access disappoints those who were hoping for a beach. A few one-off breakdowns are also mentioned, such as the air conditioning or the television.

The Hilton Malta is best suited to couples and families who want a full-service resort close to the action. Executive rooms, with lounge access, are often seen as worthwhile. Travellers seeking the intimacy of a small luxury hotel, on the other hand, may well be disappointed. It is best to avoid the height of summer to enjoy the pools in peace. Spring and autumn offer a good balance between weather and crowds.

The Hilton Malta borders Portomaso Marina, in St Julian’s, between Paceville and Spinola Bay. The area is quiet, but restaurants and bars are a few minutes’ walk away. The sandy beach at St George’s Bay is around a fifteen-minute walk. A shopping centre and shops are right next door. Buses and taxis reach Valletta in around twenty minutes. The international airport is 9 km away, around 25 minutes by car.

Good to know: the hotel has no shuttle, but the concierge books taxis. The underground car park is paid.